Five years ago, an icon was born on the Prada catwalk. Today, said icon is celebrated and updated in a special new collection of Minimal Baroque sunglasses. Launched in 2011, these spirited sunglasses quickly gained iconic status. Their bold curves are unmistakable in origin, and a new collection celebrates the combination of creative experimentation and meticulous craftsmanship they represent while advancing Prada’s unique vision.
This collection gives new life to the flowers and foliage motifs that grew wild in the Baroque period. Stylized plant life (acanthus leaves, laurel branches, palm fronds) is abstracted into scrolling garlands that bud and branch into the defining curve of elegantly exaggerated sunglasses.
In each of the three new Minimal Baroque styles, ornate and intricate motifs of history are redefined into a single, streamlined gesture. Integrated within the realm of eye wear, this flourish becomes decorative and functional, dimensional and flat, fanciful and realistic – all at the same time.
This style is Minimal Baroque at the height of its ornamental power. Enhanced by hand-applied flourishes of metal, the over-sized frames, with a double bridge and gleaming hinges evoke the symmetry of butterfly’s wings, while the boldly curving temples are captivating with spirals and stars for a distinctly feminine persona. Available in five colourways, the palette of neutral hues (black, tortoise, and ivory) is enlivened by vibrant red and spotted tortoise.
A reinterpretation of the iconic original, this redesigned style is defined by its contrasts and playfully wide profile. Layering nuanced tones with solid-colored acetate for a striking bas-relief effect, the silhouette gains further dimension from artful asymmetry and elaborate curves – a visual echo to the rounded lenses. Available in three colourways, the palette combines tortoise and black with ivory or red.
Completing the celebration is a freshly sophisticated interpretation of the original model. This new style, in glossy acetate, is Minimal Baroque at its best. Retaining the classic, clean-lined front, its over-sized round frames are animated by curling temples, made more memorable by a bas-relief effect in two-tone acetate. Available in four colourways, the palette includes black and tortoise with spotted tortoise, ivory, and a flash of red at the temples.
The Minimal Baroque special collection is available in Prada boutiques and through selected high-end retailers nationwide beginning November 8, 2016. Search #MINIMALBAROQUE online for further updates.
